WHRO Reports
1,211 episodes - English - Latest episode: 13 days ago - ★★★★★ - 1 ratingA collection of WHRO feature news including WHRO stories, interviews and in-depth reporting from Southeastern Virginia.
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Episodes
Audio postcard: Inside the Virginia Living Museum's new Butterfly Haven
August 11, 2023 14:02 - 1 minute - 1.94 MBListen as WHRO takes you inside the butterfly enclosure with brothers Mason, 3, and Silas, 6.
Butterfly Haven at Virginia Living Museum highlights pollinators
August 11, 2023 13:30 - 1 minute - 1.64 MBThe new butterfly enclosure lets visitors get up close and personal with many species, including the endangered monarch.
Hampton city council censures member for hiring a sex worker
August 10, 2023 18:48 - 1.08 MBVice Mayor Jimmy Gray called Councilman Chris Bowman's conduct "unbecoming of a public official."
3,000 local sailors and Marines arrive in Gulf as tensions rise with Iran
August 09, 2023 20:43 - 1 minute - 1.39 MBMarines from the 26th MEU trained to deploy on commercial shipping vessels, ahead of US decision on whether to allow the Marines on cargo ships traveling the Straits of Hormuz.
Chesapeake may ask voters if it should earmark funds for preserving farmland
August 07, 2023 17:34 - 1 minute - 1.44 MBResidents have recently pushed back hard on development in Southern Chesapeake's rural areas. Now, City Council will vote Tuesday on a referendum that would ask if residents want to use more tax money to buy up rural land to limit development.
VA Secretary says volumes up ahead of PACT Act deadline
August 03, 2023 19:22 - 4 minutes - 6.06 MBAs the PACT Act approaches an August 9 deadline for veterans to receive additional benefits, the head of the VA says the agency is handling the added volume with more than 5 million veterans eligible.
Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, VCU Health team up to improve trauma treatment for civilians and military
August 03, 2023 15:45 - 41 seconds - 983 KBNavy medical personnel will work alongside civilian providers at VCU Medical Center in Richmond to get hands on experience treating trauma cases while sharing battlefield practices with their civilian counterparts.
Residents of a historically Black neighborhood in Virginia Beach push back against proposed battery storage facility
August 03, 2023 15:24 - 43 seconds - 1.02 MBSeatack residents say their concerns about health and safety of the facility have been brushed off. Now, they're rallying to fight the project, the latest such battle over industrial development in neighborhoods across Hampton Roads.
Heat-related hospital visits surge in July
August 03, 2023 14:59 - 1 minute - 1.68 MBMore than 400 people have visited Hampton Roads emergency or urgent care centers this summer suffering from heat-related illness.
Virginia Beach Sheriff Ken Stolle announces retirement
August 02, 2023 16:12 - 1000 KBVirginia Beach Sheriff Ken Stolle will retire after 13 years in the job. City councilman and Chief Deputy Rocky Holcomb will serve as interim sheriff until the city holds a special election to replace Stolle.
Defense Bill set for a showdown over social issues
July 28, 2023 20:25 - 1 minute - 1.84 MBSeveral projects for Hampton Roads are left hanging as the House and Senate clash over abortion policy.
Affordability for small apartments is increasingly concentrating in certain areas of Hampton Roads, according to new data
July 27, 2023 20:08 - 57 seconds - 1.32 MBSome cities - like Chesapeake or Virginia Beach - have virtually no neighborhoods where the average rent of a one-bedroom apartment is affordable. Others like Norfolk have many.
Pamunkey Indian Tribe pulls development application for Norfolk Casino
July 27, 2023 19:54 - 1 minute - 1.4 MBThe tribe submitted a scaled-down development plan for its casino that it said was just the first phase. City leaders frustrated with the lack of progress asked them to withdraw it.
James City County votes to split schools from Williamsburg
July 27, 2023 19:50 - 55 seconds - 1.29 MBThe two have operated a joint school district since 1955. But after Williamsburg publicly said in June it was looking at going solo, James City County voted this week to pull out of the joint operation.
Suffolk residents opposed to warehouse project start 'Citizens Voice' nonprofit
July 25, 2023 13:58 - 1 minute - 1.39 MBThe group hopes to "amplify citizen voices" in government decisions about land use.
The Navy's Large Scale Exercise will span the globe
July 24, 2023 18:23 - 1 minute - 1.65 MBHappening in August, it is an attempt to simulate what it would be like for the Navy to face threats from near-peer competitors.
Judge dismisses lawsuit against Suffolk warehouse project
July 24, 2023 17:53 - 1 minute - 1.48 MBThe citizens behind the lawsuit plan to appeal the decision.
Therapy dogs return to Chesapeake Regional Medical Center
July 21, 2023 15:25 - 1.73 MBTherapy dog Lucy came to visit patients and staff of the cardiac ward at Chesapeake Regional.
Osprey chicks are starving in their nests in the Chesapeake Bay, researchers say
July 20, 2023 14:12 - 1 minute - 1.45 MBThe team at William & Mary believes the birds' low reproduction rate is tied to overharvesting of menhaden, a key food source.
Virginia military bases join land conservation partnership
July 18, 2023 18:01 - 1 minute - 1.55 MBThe new Virginia Security Corridor aims to "prevent encroachment on military missions," build climate resilience and conserve key natural habitats.
One local nonprofit has been teaching the basics of homebuying for years. The class keeps getting longer.
July 17, 2023 14:37 - 1 minute - 1.84 MBWhat started as a 3-hour seminar for first-time homebuyers from the Virginia Housing and Community Development Corporation has evolved into a 15-hour, week-long course. VHCDC's leader says people need that much to get the full scope of what it takes to buy a house.
US and Australians tour local shipyards
July 14, 2023 19:30 - 1 minute - 1.67 MBThe US plans to eventually sell Virginia Class Submarines to Australia, as part of a landmark security agreement.
The governor lured a military-themed brewery to Norfolk. Some residents say the owner's values don't mesh with the community. What happens next?
July 13, 2023 19:29 - 1 minute - 1.98 MBAfter Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced that Armed Forces Brewing Co. would be moving its headquarters to Norfolk's Park Place, neighbors flagged what they say are misogynistic and anti-LGBTQ+ statements and social media posts from the company and its owners.
Air Force freezes spending ahead of budget crunch
July 13, 2023 18:05 - 1 minute - 1.62 MBAir Force is freezing bonuses and halting moves as it tries to limit personnel costs.
Anthem may terminate contract with Mid-Atlantic Women's Care
July 13, 2023 15:56 - 1.06 MBAnthem/Blue Cross Blue Shield and the largest group of OB-GYNs in Hampton Roads may terminate their agreement at the end of this month.
Hampton Roads sewage infrastructure vulnerable to flooding
July 13, 2023 13:25 - 1 minute - 1.52 MBThe Hampton Roads Sanitation District has released a new climate plan that assesses flood risk at its treatment plants, pipes and pump stations.
Johns Hopkins Health Plans now providing coverage for military in Hampton Roads
July 12, 2023 19:30 - 927 KBCurrent and former military members in Hampton Roads now have a new insurance option — associated with one of the biggest names in medicine.
Massive Norfolk floodwall project doesn't tackle daily flooding
July 12, 2023 14:38 - 4 minutes - 6.12 MBCritics of the $2.6 billion project worry that in the face of climate change, Norfolk's money could be better spent addressing current flooding tied to rising sea levels.
Norfolk kids who have never been on an airplane get the full experience. Well, almost.
July 12, 2023 11:51 - 1 minute - 1.84 MBNorfolk International Airport hosted two-dozen kids to let them experience an airport is all about, see how it works and learn about the many jobs behind the scenes that keep planes in the air.
Youngkin touts nuclear energy at Surry plant's 50th anniversary
July 11, 2023 00:37 - 1.33 MBTo keep up with energy demands, Youngkin said he wants to position the state to get a modular nuclear reactor online in the next decade.
After years of negotiation, historic Hunton YMCA will sell building to city and will rebuild in the redeveloped Tidewater Gardens
July 10, 2023 19:14 - 1 minute - 1.64 MBThe William A. Hunton YMCA formed in 1875 to serve Norfolk's Black community in the wake of the Civil War. After generations of service and worries it would be displaced, a deal will keep it in St. Paul's.
Military suicides continue to rise
July 07, 2023 17:43 - 1 minute - 2.13 MBThe Army posts the worst numbers in a decade, after several reports try to get at the root cause.
‘Misty of Chincoteague’ ranch preserved with sale
July 06, 2023 13:02 - 4.98 MBThe hundred-year-old property now belongs to the Museum of Chincoteague Island.
Navy shipyard modernization could fall to cost overruns
July 05, 2023 17:36 - 1 minute - 1.5 MBCost overruns threaten the Navy’s “once in a generation” shipyard modernization according to federal auditors.
Norfolk International Airport just had its biggest 4th of July holiday ever. It's expecting 2023 will be another record year.
July 05, 2023 16:54 - 56 seconds - 1.31 MBThe airport had 7% more travelers in the week surrounding Independence Day than it did last year. Airline officials tell us why.
Norfolk approves solar farm on old landfill site
July 05, 2023 14:55 - 44 seconds - 1.02 MBThe city will lease about 35 acres of the former Campostella Landfill to a D.C.-based solar company.
Books, seeds, surfboards: how a Virginia Beach library is expanding its catalog this summer
June 29, 2023 17:31 - 1.47 MBThe Princess Anne branch of the Virginia Beach library system is adding surfboards and other equipment to its catalog.
Hampton cracking down on trash, recycling violations
June 27, 2023 15:45 - 56 seconds - 1.31 MBAmid rising costs, the city will raise fines for residents who do things like overfill their trash bins or put out hazardous waste.
Hampton decides to leave its historic carousel downtown
June 27, 2023 14:51 - 1.01 MBAt a city council meeting this month, Hampton Mayor Donnie Tuck called any decision to move the carousel premature.
Colonial Parkway to get $123 million overhaul
June 27, 2023 13:36 - 1 minute - 1.93 MBThe historic parkway that links Jamestown and Yorktown hasn’t had a major repair since it opened in 1957.
Residents push Norfolk to turn Lambert's Point Golf Course into public park
June 23, 2023 14:24 - 1 minute - 1.63 MBHRSD bought 40 acres of the now-closed course for $30 million. But about 15 acres remain with the city.
Chesapeake Bay Program predicts fewer dead zones this year
June 22, 2023 16:12 - 47 seconds - 1.08 MBA lack of rainfall this spring led to less pollution runoff — which in turn reduced the amount of deadly algae developing in the bay, scientists say.
Norfolk finishes $112 million project to protect historic neighborhood from rising waters
June 20, 2023 13:09 - 3 minutes - 5.37 MBThe project in Chesterfield Heights was under construction for three years. Environmental officials around the state and country are looking to it as a potential model.
Former Ridley Circle residents start returning to Southeast Newport News as redevelopment continues
June 15, 2023 19:12 - 1 minute - 1.71 MBNearly 250 families were relocated as part of a $58 million redevelopment effort. Construction is continuing but one new apartment building just opened, where more than a third of the units were reserved for returning Ridley residents.
William & Mary students lobby Congress for action on climate change
June 14, 2023 18:40 - 1 minute - 1.58 MBStudents started a chapter of the national nonprofit Citizens’ Climate Lobby last year and have been pushing for a carbon tax.
Mother of 6-year-old Richneck Elementary shooter pleads guilty in federal court
June 12, 2023 20:49 - 54 seconds - 1.24 MBTwenty-five-year-old Deja Taylor faces up to 25 years in prison.
Norfolk signs $2.6 billion floodwall agreement with Army Corps
June 12, 2023 19:29 - 1 minute - 1.66 MBThe Resilient Norfolk project, which includes a series of levees and tide gates, has been in the works for nearly a decade and will now move toward construction.
Williamsburg to study creating its own independent school district
June 09, 2023 15:59 - 53 seconds - 1.24 MBThe city has run a joint school division with neighboring James City County since 1955. But its considering breaking away. (Williamsburg-James City County Public Schools is a member of HRETA, which owns WHRO's FCC license.)
Pat Robertson, who intertwined the GOP and religion, dies at 93
June 08, 2023 20:22 - 1.3 MBThe Christian Broadcasting Network, which Robertson founded, announced his death. No cause was immediately given.
Elizabeth River Trail to dedicate green space around Larchmont Library
June 08, 2023 17:46 - 40 seconds - 965 KBThe ERT foundation will use a $400,000 grant for the effort, which includes a new kayak launch.